some years and kilo's ago.. I was into biathlon, from the age of 8-23 I was shooting mostly .22lr Anschutz rifles.
The competion barrel length is 56cm in this calible. "Junors", age 8-15, often had shorter and lighter rifles, the accuracy can not be compared! So.. my experience with rifles, specially the .22lr is that barrel length is important.
But I'm clueless when it comes to pistols!
btw. I recently bought a Marlin .22lr for duckhunting, different type of brand and rifle, but still with 56cm barrel length
Happy newyear everyone